Indira Gandhi – The first woman Prime Minister of India was one inspirational human being. Her life is one big example for people who look up to her & admire her dynamic personality. From being a daughter & Personal Assistant of her Prime Minister father to being the Prime Minister herself, her career graph & journey is a history in itself. On her Birth Centenary, let us look back at the history & know major Indira Gandhi facts. If you are preparing for any Government Recruitment Exam like SSC CGL, IBPS PO, RBI Assistant, etc., then you can begin your preparation with this GK article itself! This article will help you with Mrs Gandhi’s childhood, Early Political Career, Family, her tenure as the Prime Minister, etc!

“I am proud that I spent the whole of my life in the service of my people.
I shall continue to serve until my last breath and when I die, I can say, that every drop of my blood will invigorate India and strengthen it” – Indira Gandhi

Every word in this quotation has depth and every word promulgates the loyalty and the dedication for the people of India. A woman, a wife, a mother, and a leader – These are some of the roles that Mrs Indira Gandhi has played in her life. Here is a synopsis of her journey from a child to a leader of the nation.

Childhood – Indira Gandhi Facts

Mrs Indira Gandhi was born in a Kashmiri Pandit family on 19th November 1917 in Allahabad. Her father, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, was an epitome of the Indian freedom struggle and became the first Prime Minister of free India. She grew up in the loving care of her mother, Mrs Kamala Nehru.

Education – Indira Gandhi Facts

Mrs Indira Gandhi passed here Matriculation from Pune University and then went to Shantiniketan in West Bengal for further studies. From Shantiniketan, she travelled to Switzerland and then to Oxford University in London. In the year 1936, her mother succumbed to tuberculosis, and immediately after this catastrophic event, Mrs. Gandhi returned to India.

Early Political Career – Indira Gandhi Facts

Mrs Indira Gandhi was a central figure of the Indian National Congress and till date, she is the only female Prime Minister of Independent India.

She served as the Prime Minister of India from January 1966 to March 1977 and was again re-elected as the Prime Minister of India from January 1980 till her assassination in October 1984.

This stint as the Prime Minister made her the second longest serving Indian Prime Minister after her father.

Between the years 1947 and 1964, she served as the PA (personal assistant) of her father.

Personal Life – Indira Gandhi Facts

Despite her father’s objections, Indira Gandhi married Feroze Gandhi in the year 1941. Indira Gandhi gave birth to sons – Rajiv Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi – in the years 1944 and 1946 respectively. On 8th September 1960, Feroze Gandhi died following a major cardiac arrest.

India’s entry into the Nuclear Age and the alliance with the USSR gave impetus to India’s defence capabilities.

Operation Blue Star:

Operation Blue Star is considered to be one of the most important events in the history of Mrs Gandhi.

Under the orders of the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, the Indian military entered the Golden Temple to drive out the Sikh extremist religious leader, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his armed followers.

Although this operation got rid of the extremist leader, there were very high civilian casualties.

This move was widely criticized by the Sikh community worldwide and also resulted in the resignations of many Sikh personnel from government administrative positions.

Few months after Operation Blue Star, Mrs Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards on 31st October 1984.

Important Dates & Major Milestones – Indira Gandhi Facts

Given below are important dates and major milestones in the life of Indira Gandhi

Important Dates

Milestones

19th November 1917

Mrs. Indira Gandhi was
born in Anand Bhuvan

At the age of 17

Mrs. Gandhi went to the
Vishwa Bharati University –
Shantiniketan in Bengal

28th February 1936

Mrs. Gandhi’s mother Kamala
Nehru passes away

1959

Mrs. Indira Gandhi became the president
of the Indian National Congress

27th May 1964

Pandit Nehru passes away

1966

Lal Bahadur Shastri passes away

March 1972

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi signs
the agreement of friendship and
cooperation with Bangladesh

June 1975

Emergency was declared until March 1977

1984

Holy Golden Temple in Amritsar,
Punjab was taken over by Sikh extremists

October 31, 1984

Indira Gandhi was assassinated outside
her home by two of her trusted
bodyguards – Beant Singh & Satwant Singh

These were some of the major milestones in Mrs Indira Gandhi’s life. On her 100th Birth Anniversary this year, we shall remember her & pay tributes to this ‘Iron Lady of India’.

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